The Weeds... and trusting

          "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'... your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you." (Mt.6:25-33)
      Don't you love how Jesus uses such everyday but vibrant word pictures?  Who among us has not marveled at the birds and considered with awe their graceful flight and beguiling song?  I love birds... and so does their Creator.  Think of it: the One who fashioned the birds out of nothing, points to them and says, "Look and learn--God created and cares for even the tiniest sparrow--so you can trust Him to care for you!"
     And then there are the lilies of the field.  Arrayed in splendor.
     Just the other day, Moses and I meandered along the greenway.  Most of our short walk, we are covered by a thick canopy of trees--the shade is marvelously welcome in the heat of summer, though it can become a bit dark on cloudy days or in the early morning.  But just after crossing the long bridge, the path curves around and suddenly opens out onto a large open field.  On sunny days, your eyes have to adjust to the sudden intense brightness.  But the contrast of shaded trees to a sunny field always brings a lift to your heart.
     Especially this time of year.  For you see, right about now, the fields are full of yellow clover--

      This picture doesn't even begin to do it justice, for it's a splashy, neon yellow field blanketing a vibrant spring green backdrop.  If you have eyes to pause and truly see, it will take your breath away.
     To think--weeds!  These are all weeds!  The kind gardeners despise when they crop up in their lawns.  And yet, when you glimpse the canary yellow clover arrayed in all it's finery on the greenway field, well, you can't help but give glory to it's Creator.  No one fertilizes or waters these lowly weeds.  Nope--no one except Almighty God.
     And so they just grow and grow... and boldly announce the glory of the One who makes something out of nothing.  The One who takes that which the world despises and transforms it into a field of beauty.  And the One who takes our failures and weaknesses--and incredibly, impossibly brings forth good and even beauty from ashes.
     It all reminded me of the words of part of an old Livingston Taylor song I've always loved: "There are flowers in my garden.  Pretty ones all in a row.  But my favorite are the weeds--they don't know where to grow... but they know enough to grow."  
     So if that's what God does with old throw-away weeds that nobody wants, that's here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He care for, love, nourish, and sustain you and me?
     Jesus tells us, commands us, not to be anxious.. and then He points to the birds and the lilies of the field.  We have 24 hour reminders all around us that God is forever faithful--just look outside your window and see the birds and the weeds!
     Lord, open our eyes that we might see... and our hearts that we might believe and trust in Your never failing promises.  When fear or anxiety begins to weigh us down, help us to remember the birds and the weeds... and trust in Your perfect love and care for us.  To God be the glory.